Automatic in-place stirrup

ABSTRACT

A stirrup assembly having a stirrup connected to an element self attachable to the loop of a stirrup leather by a revolving mechanism that normally retains the stirrup in a predetermined position, but permits the stirrup to pivot when a sufficient force is applied to the stirrup. A torsion spring is suitably arranged for causing the stirrup to snap back into the normal position of the stirrup when the pivoting force is removed.

Umted States Patent 11 1 [111 3,927,509 Riebold 5] Dec. 23, 1975 AUTOMATIC lN-PLACE STIRRUP 76 inventor: Fred A. Riebold, PO. Box 314, 'f' Kmsey Assistant Examiner-J. Q. Lever Central, N. Mex. 88026 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A. O Brien; [22] Filed: May 30, 1974 Harvey B. Jacobson [21] Appl. No.: 474,861

[57] ABSTRACT [52] [1.8. 54/48 A stirrup assembly having a stirrup connected to an [51] Int. CL B68C element glf attaghable to [hg loop of a stirrup leather of Search 48, a revglving mechanism that normally retains the stirrup in a predetermined position, but pennits the References Clled stirrup to pivot when a sufficient force is applied to UNITED STATES PATENTS the stirrup. A torsion spring is suitably arranged for 746,126 12/1903 Myers 54/48 causing the to p back the normal P 807,000 12/1905 sou w tion of the stirrup when the pivoting force is removed. 2,532,082 ll/l950 Borst.............. 3,276,i85 l0/l966 10 Clam, l1 Drawmg US. Patent Dec.23, 1975 Sheet 1 of3 3,927,509

Revo/ved 90 US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 2 of 3 3,927,509

Fig. 4

US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 3 of3 3,927,509

AUTOMATIC IN-PLACE STIRRUP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to a riding stirrup, and particularly to a pivotally mounted stirrup that snaps back into a normal or rest position when a pivoting force is removed from the stirrup.

2. Description of the Prior Art US. Pat. No. 807,000, issued Dec. 12, 1905, to Alfred E. Southworth, discloses a riding stirrup in which the stirrup itself is resiliently biased toward a normal, or rest, position. This known device, however, is typical of prior art pivotally mounted and spring biased riding stirrups in that a force must be applied to the stirrup in order to move the same from a pivoted position back to the normal, or rest, position.

Other references believed pertinent to this invention are as follows:

Ser. No. 169,209 J. C. Wagstaff- Oct. 26, 1875;

Ser. No. 608,605 J. T. House Aug. 9, I898;

US. Pat. No. 2,532,082 F. C. Borst Nov. 28, 1950.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a pivotally mounted stirrup that will snap back into its normal, or rest, position when is pivoting force is removed from the stirrup.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a pivotally mounted stirrup which requires a substantial amount of force to pivot the stirrup.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a pivotal stirrup assembly which will provide clearance for a rider's leg.

These and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by providing a stirrup assembly having: a stirrup; a pin arranged for attachment to the loop of a stirrup leather; and a revolving mechanism connecting the pin to the stirrup for normally retainingly biasing the stirrup toward a predetermined rest position.

The revolving mechanism advantageously has a substantially U-shaped member with an elongated back element and a pair of substantially parallel legs connected to the ends of and extending co-directionally from the back element. A resilient member is connected to the back element and the stirrup for biasing the stirrup and back element toward a predetermined relationship with respect to one another.

One preferred embodiment of a revolving mechanism according to the present invention has the resilient member in the form of a coiled torsion spring having a pair of ends. Recesses are provided in the back element and the header bar of the stirrup for providing a seat for the ends and the coils of the spring. A pivot assembly including a bolt, and the like, is arranged passing through the coils of the spring and through holes provided in the back element and header bar in communication with the recesses. An offset arrangement of the back element and header bar will afford sufficient clearance for a riders leg.

A counterbore may be advantageously associated with the recess provided in the back element for receving a thrust hearing which facilitates the pivotal movement of the stirrup.

Another preferred embodiment ofa revolving mechanism according to the present invention employs a leaf spring having a pair of ends, with one of the ends arranged in a recess provided in an associated back element. The other end of the spring passes through an opening provided transversely through the bolt which connects the back element to the header bar of the stirrup. By fastening the bolt to the header bar so that these elements rotate together, the spring is effectively to the stirrup.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view showing a stirrup assembly according to the present invention arranged on the stirrup leather of a conventional saddle.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, sectional view, taken generally along the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view, taken generally along the line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view, taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the stirrup assembly of FIGS. 1 through 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but showing a modified embodiment of a stirrup assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, sectional view, taken generally along the line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, sectional view, taken generally along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, sectional view, taken generally along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a torsion spring employed with the stirrup assembly of FIGS. 7 through 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 6 of the drawings, a stirrup assembly 10 according to the present invention is attached to a conventional stirrup leather 12 having an associated fender 14. Since a stirrup assembly, according to the present invention, may be employed with conventional saddles, the construction of leather 12 and fender 14 will not be discussed in detail herein.

Stirrup assembly 10 includes a conventional stirrup 16, modified in a manner to be described below, and a pin 18 which permits attachment of assembly 10 to a loop 20 of stirrup leather l2. Stirrup I6 is connected to pin 18 as by a revolving mechanism 22 which normally retainingly biases the stirrup into a predetermined position shown in FIG. 1.

Revolving mechanism 22 includes a substantially U-shaped member 24 having an elongated back ele ment 26 and a pair of substantially parallel legs 28 and 30 connected to ends of and extending co-directionally from the back element 26. A, for example, c'oiled torsion spring 32 is connected to the back element 26 and stirrup 16 in a manner to be described below for biasing stirrup I6 and back element 26 toward a predetermined relationship with respect to one another.

Spring 32 is provided with a pair of ends 34 and 36 which are arrangeable in recesses 38 and 40 provided in back element 26 and stirrup 16, respectively. As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and of the drawings, recesses 38 and 40 are provided with a pair of tangentially arranged arms for permitting a particular assembly to be used either on the left or right hand side of a saddle. Recess 40 is advantageously arranged in the header bar 41 of stirrup 16, as is illustrated.

As can be readily appreciated from FIGS. 2 through 5 of the drawings, a portion of the coils of spring 32 are received in each recess 38 and 40.

Holes 42 and 44 are provided in back element 26 and header bar 41, respectively, and are arranged communicating with and coaxial to the recesses 38, 40. A bolt 46 is arranged passing through holes 42 and 44, and is retained by the head of the bolt and by a nut 48 engaged with the bolt. Bolt 46 and nut 48 thus form a pivot for pivotally connecting back element 26 to stirrup 16. Further, the arrangement of spring 32 with one end 34 thereof anchored to back element 26 and the other end 36 thereof anchored to stirrup 16 will cause stirrup 16 to be biased toward a predetermined position relative to back element 26.

A counterbore S0 is advantageously associated with recess 38 in back element 26 for receiving a conventional thrust bearing 52, and the like. The bolt 46 will pass through bearing 52 as well as holes 42 and 44, while the header bolt 46 will abut the upper surface of bearing 52 in order to prevent the bolts from passing through the bearing and holes. The provision of bearing 52 regidifies and reduces friction in the pivot assembly.

Apertures 54 and 56, the latter of which is provided with internal screw threads, are provided on legs 28 and of member 24 for receiving a conventional bolt 58, and the like, having a head 60 which will be tightened down against its associated leg 28 when bolt 58 is threadingly engaged in aperture 56. This bolt 58 forms pin 18 which attaches stirrup assembly 10 to loop 20 of stirrup leather 12. It will be appreciated that assembly 10 may be easily attached to or removed from stirrup leather 12 by insertion and removal of bolt 46 while member 24 is positioned adjacent the stirrup leather.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 through 1] of the drawings, a second embodiment of a stirrup assembly, according to the present invention, will now be described. This assembly, designated 62, includes a stirrup 64 connected to a stirrup leather 12 as by revolving mechanism 66 including an elongated member 67. The latter is advantageously in the form of a cylinder, as is illustrated.

Revolving mechanism 66 further includes a leaf torsion spring 68 best seen in FIG. 11 of the drawings. One end of spring 68, and in actuality most of the length of the spring, is arranged in a recess 70 provided in member 67. A hole 72 is provided extending transversely through member 67 for receiving a bolt 74 which is also arranged passing through a hole 75 provided in stirrup l6. Nuts 76 and 77 may retain stirrup I6 on bolt 74 so that the bolt and stirrup pivot as a unit. An opening 78 is provided in the shank of bolt 74 for receiving the bent end 80 of spring 68. This arrangement not only affixes end 80 of spring 68 to bolt 74, but assures that the spring 68 will seat properly during use of assembly A counterbore 82 may be provided in member 67 for receiving a conventional thrust bearing 84 in a manner similar to counterbore 50 and bearing 52. Plates 86 and 88 are advantageously connected to the ends of member 67 for functioning in a manner to legs 28 and 30 of member 24. An aperture 90 and threaded aperture 92 are arranged for receiving bolt 58 in the like manner as apertures 54 and 56 is provided in legs 28 and 30.

Stirrup 16 is advantageously constructed in a single piece from wood, aluminum, or any other suitable natural or synthetic material.

When a stirrup assembly 10, 62 is properly assembled, the assembly can be installed in any saddle by the use of the securing bolt 58 without the need of making any adjustments, alterations, or changes in the saddle prior to the installation.

When a stirrup assembly I0, 62, according to the present invention, is installed on a conventional saddle, the assembly has the capability of turning 90 in either direction (see FIG. 1) upon the application, for example, one and one-half pounds of pressure against the stirrup. The broken lines in FIGS. 2 and 7 show a 90 turn of the stirrup from the associated full line positions. When installed on a saddle and in use, the rider (not shown) can adjust the stirrup 16 in whatever position he desires for his own comfort by the insertion of the aforementioned examplatory one and one-half pounds of pressure against the stirrup in the desired direction. When this pressure is released from stirrup 16, the revolving mechanism 22, 66 will cause the stirrup to snap back into its normal, or rest, position.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

I. A stirrup assembly comprising, in combination:

a. a stirrup;

b. pin means for attachment to the loop of a stirrup leather; and

c. revolving means connecting the pin means to the stirrup for normally retainingly biasing the stirrup into a predetermined position, the revolving means including:

i. a substantially Ushaped member having an elongated back element and a pair of substantially parallel legs connected to ends of and extending codirectionally from the back element; and

ii. resilient means including a torsion spring connected to the back element and the stirrup for rotatably biasing the stirrup and the back element toward a predetermined stable relationship with respect to one another.

2. A structure as defined in claim I, wherein the resilient means includes:

l. a coiled torsion spring having a pair of ends;

2. a first recess provided in the back element and 4. pivot means for pivotally connecting the back element to the stirrup.

3. A structure as defined in claim 2, wherein the back element and the header bar of the stirrup are each provided with a hole communicating with and coaxial to the respective first and second recesses, and the pivot means including a bolt arranged passing through the holes, and a nut engaged with the bolt for retaining same, a counterbore being associated with the recess in the back element, and the pivot means further including a thrust bearing arranged to the counterbore, the bolt being arranged passing through the bearing, with a head of the bolt abutting the bearing.

4. A stirrup assembly comprising, in combination:

a. a stirrup;

b. pin means for attachment to the loop of a stirrup leather; and

c. revolving means connecting the pin means to the stirrup for normally retainingly biasing the stirrup into a predetermined position, the revolving means including:

i. a substantially U-shaped member having an elongated back element and a pair of substantially parallel legs connected to ends of and extending codirectionally from the back element; and

ii. resilient means connected to the back element and the stirrup for biasing the stirrup and the back element toward a predetermined stable relationship with respect to one another, the resilient means including:

1. a coiled torsion spring having a pair of ends;

2. a first recess provided in the back element and arranged for receiving one of the ends and an adjacent portion of the spring;

3. a second recess provided in a header bar of the stirrup and arranged for receiving the other of the ends and a portion of the spring adjacent to the other of the ends; and

4. pivot means for pivotally connecting the back element to the stirrup, the back element and the header bar of the stirrup being provided with a hole communication with and coaxial to the respective first and second recesses, and the pivot means including a bolt arranged passing through the holes, and a nut engaged with the bolt for retaining same, a counterbore being associated with the recess in the back element, and the pivot means further including a thrust bearing arranged in the counterbore, the bolt being arranged passing through the bearing, with a head of the bolt abutting the bearing.

5. A structure as defined in claim 4, wherein the legs of the U-shaped member are provided with an aperture coaxial with the aperture provided in the other of the legs, and wherein the pin means includes a further bolt arranged passing through the apertures, with one of the apertures being provided with internal screw threads for threadingly engaging with the bolt and retaining same in the apertures.

6. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the resilient means includes:

1. a longitudinal leaf torsion spring having a pair of ends;

2. a recess provided in the back element and arranged for receiving one of the ends of the spring,

the spring being partially disposed in the recess;

and

3. pivot means for pivotally connecting the back element to the stirrup.

7. A structure as defined in claim 6, wherein the back element is provided with a hole communicating with and coaxial to the recess, and wherein the pivot means includes a bolt arranged passing through the hole and secured to the stirrup for movement therewith, the bolt provided with an opening in which the spring is arranged, a counterbore being associated with the recess in the back element, and the pivot means further including a thrust bearing arranged in the counterbore, the bolt being arranged passing through the bearing, with a head of the bolt abutting the bearing.

8. A stirrup assembly comprising, in combination:

a. a stirrup;

b. pin means for attachment to the loop of a stirrup leather; and

c. revolving means connecting the pin means to the stirrup for normally retainingly biasing the stirrup into a predetermined position, the revolving means including:

i. a substantially U-shaped member having an elongated back element and a pair of substantially parallel legs connected to ends of and extending codirectionally from the back element; and

ii. resilient means connected to the back element and the stirrup for biasing the stirrup and the back element toward a predetermined stable relationship with respect to one another, the resilient means including:

1. a leaf spring having a pair of ends;

2. a recess provided in the back element and arranged for receiving one of the ends of the spring, the spring being partially disposed in the recess, and

3. pivot means for pivotally connecting the back element to the stirrup, the back element being provided with a hole communicating with and coaxial to the recess, and wherein the pivot means includes a bolt arranged passing through the hole and secured to the stirrup for movement therewith, the bolt provided with an opening in which the spring is arranged, a counterbore being associated with the recess in the back element, and the pivot means further including a thrust bearing arranged in the counterbore, the belt being arranged passing through the bearing, with a head of the bolt abutting the bearing.

9. A structure as defined in claim 8, wherein the legs of the U-shaped member are provided with an aperture coaxial with the aperture provided in the other of the legs, and wherein pin means includes a further bolt arranged passing through the apertures, with one of the apertures being provided with internal screw threads for threadingly engaging with the bolt and retaining same in the apertures.

10. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the legs of the U-shaped member are each provided with an aperture coaxial with the aperture provided in the other of the legs, and wherein the pin means includes a bolt passing through the apertures, with one of the apertures being provided with internal screw threads for threadingly engaging with the bolt and retaining same in the apertures.

* =t II t 

1. A stirrup assembly comprising, in combination: a. a stirrup; b. pin means for attachment to the loop of a stirrup leather; and c. revolving means connecting the pin means to the stirrup for normally retainingly biasing the stirrup into a predetermined position, the revolving means including: i. a substantially U-shaped member having an elongated back element and a pair of substantially parallel legs connected to ends of and extending codirectionally from the back element; and ii. resilient means including a torsion spring connected to the back element and the stirrup for rotatably biasing the stirrup and the back element toward a predetermined stable relationship with respect to one another.
 2. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the resilient means includes:
 2. a first recess provided in the back element and arranged for receiving one of the ends and an adjacent portion of the spring;
 2. a recess provided in the back element and arranged for receiving one of the ends of the spring, the spring being partially disposed in the recess, and
 2. a recess provided in the back element and arranged for receiving one of the ends of the spring, the spring being partially disposed in the recess; and
 2. a first recess provided in the back element and arranged for receiving one of the ends and an adjacent portion of the spring;
 3. a second recess provided in a header bar of the stirrup and arranged for receiving the other of the ends and a portion of the spring adjacent to the other of the ends; and
 3. pivot means for pivotally connecting the back element to the stirrup.
 3. a second recess provided in a header bar of the stirrup and arranged for receiving the other of the ends and a porton of the spring adjacent to the other of the ends; and
 3. A structure as defined in claim 2, wherein the back element and the header bar of the stirrup are each provided with a hole communicating with and coaxial to the respective first and second recesses, and the pivot means including a bolt arranged passing through the holes, and a nut engaged with the bolt for retaining same, a counterbore being associated with the recess in the back element, and the pivot means further including a thrust bearing arranged to the counterbore, the bolt being arranged passing through the bearing, with a head of the bolt abutting the bearing.
 3. pivot means for pivotally connecting the back element to the stirrup, the back element being provided with a hole communicating with and coaxial to the recess, and wherein the pivot means includes a bolt arranged passing through the hole and secured to the stirrup for movement therewith, the bolt provided with an opening in which the spring is arranged, a counterbore being associated with the recess in the back element, and the pivot means further including a thrust bearing arranged in the counterbore, the belt being arranged passing through the bearing, with a head of the bolt abutting the bearing.
 4. pivot means for pivotally connecting the back element to the stirrup.
 4. pivot means for pivotally connecting the back element to the stirrup, the back element and the header bar of the stirrup being provided with a hole communication with and coaxial to the respective first and second recesses, and the pIvot means including a bolt arranged passing through the holes, and a nut engaged with the bolt for retaining same, a counterbore being associated with the recess in the back element, and the pivot means further including a thrust bearing arranged in the counterbore, the bolt being arranged passing through the bearing, with a head of the bolt abutting the bearing.
 4. A stirrup assembly comprising, in combination: a. a stirrup; b. pin means for attachment to the loop of a stirrup leather; and c. revolving means connecting the pin means to the stirrup for normally retainingly biasing the stirrup into a predetermined position, the revolving means including: i. a substantially U-shaped member having an elongated back element and a pair of substantially parallel legs connected to ends of and extending codirectionally from the back element; and ii. resilient means connected to the back element and the stirrup for biasing the stirrup and the back element toward a predetermined stable relationship with respect to one another, the resilient means including:
 5. A structure as defined in claim 4, wherein the legs of the U-shaped member are provided with an aperture coaxial with the aperture provided in the other of the legs, and wherein the pin means includes a further bolt arranged passing through the apertures, with one of the apertures being provided with internal screw threads for threadingly engaging with the bolt and retaining same in the apertures.
 6. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the resilient means includes:
 7. A structure as defined in claim 6, wherein the back element is provided with a hole communicating with and coaxial to the recess, and wherein the pivot means includes a bolt arranged passing through the hole and secured to the stirrup for movement therewith, the bolt provided with an opening in which the spring is arranged, a counterbore being associated with the recess in the back element, and the pivot means further including a thrust bearing arranged in the counterbore, the bolt being arranged passing through the bearing, with a head of the bolt abutting the bearing.
 8. A stirrup assembly comprising, in combination: a. a stirrup; b. pin means for attachment to the loop of a stirrup leather; and c. revolving means connecting the pin means to the stirrup for normally retainingly biasing the stirrup into a predetermined position, the revolving means including: i. a substantially U-shaped member having an elongated back element and a pair of substantially parallel legs connected to ends of and extending codirectionally from the back element; and ii. resilient means connected to the back element and the stirrup for biasing the stirrup and the back element toward a predetermined stable relationship with respect to one another, the resilient means including:
 9. A structure as defined in claim 8, wherein the legs of the U-shaped member are provided with an aperture coaxial with the aperture provided in the other of the legs, and wherein pin means includes a further bolt arranged passing through the apertures, with one of the apertures being provided with internal screw threads for threadingly engaging with the bolt and retaining same in the apertures.
 10. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the legs of the U-shaped member are each provided with an aperture coaxial with the aperture provided in the other of the legs, and wherein the pin means includes a bolt passing through the apertures, with one of the apertures being provided with internal screw threads for threadingly engaging wiTh the bolt and retaining same in the apertures. 